A spinal injury is one of the most serious injuries a person can suffer. As opposed to some other types of ailments, a spinal injury is often life changing. One reason for this is that spinal injuries often result in partial or total paralysis. In addition, due to the severity of this type of injury, spinal injury victims often find themselves burdened by expensive medical bills with no way to pay them. If you’ve suffered a spinal injury, please contact the experienced spinal injury attorney at Bradford Law.
Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are two primary types of spinal injuries:
Complete: When a spinal injury results in permanent damage, it is categorized as “complete.”
Incomplete: Partial damage to the spinal cord is considered an “incomplete” injury.
The type of spinal injury a person suffers determines the resulting effects. Some common effects of spinal cord injuries include:
- Paralysis
- Total or partial loss of movement and feeling
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- Loss of sexual function
- Lower body weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Nerve damage and pain
- Chronic pain
- Headaches
- Fertility loss
- Increased infection
Common Causes of Spinal Injuries
There are many causes of spinal injuries. The cause of a spinal injury often has a direct correlation with its severity. Common causes of spinal injuries include:
Motor Vehicle Accidents: Spinal injuries are often caused by accidents involving cars, trucks, and other types of motor vehicles.
Falls: Falls, especially those that occur from significant heights, can cause severe damage to the spine.
Sports Injuries: Contact sports, such as football and martial arts, often involve heavy collision and sudden movements, both of which can result in spinal injuries.
Violence: Violent acts, such as assaults and shootings, are another routine cause of spinal injuries.
Medical Malpractice: Mistakes made during surgery or other medical procedures can also injure the spine.
Workplace Accidents: Accidents in the workplace, particularly those on construction sites, can result in catastrophic injuries to the spine.
Damages for Spinal Injuries
If you’ve suffered a spinal injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The type and amount of damages to which you may be entitled is dependent upon the circumstances and severity of your injuries. Common damages for spinal injuries include:
Medical Expenses: Damages for your medical costs may include compensation for medical bills, hospital stays, therapy, surgery, medication, home modifications, and medical equipment.
Lost Wages: Compensation for spinal injuries also often includes lost wages, including past income and projected future earnings.
Rehabilitation Costs: A spinal injury often requires a lengthy rehabilitation process, and the cost of this treatment is often available to injury victims.
Pain and Suffering: Compensation is also sometimes available for the physical pain and emotional anguish caused by a spinal injury.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Spinal injury victims are often unable to participate in the same activities they enjoyed prior to the injury, and courts sometimes award damages to compensate for this loss.
Statute of Limitations for Spinal Injury Claims
If you’ve suffered a spinal injury In North Carolina, you don’t have an unlimited amount of time to file a lawsuit. Instead, the deadline for filing a lawsuit is established by the state’s statute of limitations. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is three years from the date of the injury and in workers’ compensation claims the statute of limitations is two years.
Filing a lawsuit during this window is extremely important. If you fail to file a claim during the applicable period, you will miss your chance at compensation unless there is an applicable exception. Therefore, if you are suffering from a spinal injury, you should contact an experienced spinal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Contact a Charlotte Spinal Injury Attorney
If you require assistance with a spinal injury, you need an experienced Charlotte spinal injury attorney in your corner. At Bradford Law, we have the knowledge and experience necessary to assist you with your spinal injury case. When you come to us for help, experienced spinal injury attorney Jeremy Bradford will diligently pursue a successful resolution of your matter. Please contact us to schedule an initial meeting with an experienced Charlotte spinal injury attorney.
